Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications. Objectives

Transcription

1 Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications Chapter 12 Wireless Communications in Business Objectives List the advantages of wireless communications for businesses Discuss the challenges of wireless communications Explain the steps needed to build a wireless infrastructure Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 2 1

2 Advantages of Wireless Technology Basic advantages Mobility of data access Easier network installation Increased reliability Better disaster recovery Business-specific advantages Universal access to corporate data Increased productivity Ability for customers to access their own data Data availability around the clock Improved information technology (IT) support Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 3 Universal Access to Corporate Data Universal access can help a business generate more revenue Sales representative can use a WiMAX network To access live data Wireless technology benefits anyone who needs to be mobile but needs access to data Useful when all parties are in one location Industry experts agree that universal access is the greatest advantage of wireless technology Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 4 2

3 Increased Productivity Having universal access to corporate data Leads to increased productivity by employees Survey by Cisco in 2001 showed that By using a WLAN, employees could access data almost two additional hours each day Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 5 Increased Access to the Customer s Own Data Key factor in reducing business costs Shift the burden of accessing a customer s data from the business to the customer Customers can make better and more informed decisions Customers can use WLANs to access their data Example: Airport hotspots Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 6 3

4 Data Availability Around the Clock Wireless technology can help make data available from almost anywhere at any time Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 7 Improved IT Support Significant advantages include: Easier system setup Decreased cabling costs compared to wired systems Troubleshooting a wireless network is often simpler than troubleshooting cabling problems Other improvements Easier and faster moves of equipment More efficient use of office space Lower support and maintenance costs Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 8 4

5 Voice over Wireless LAN (VoWLAN) VoWLAN Takes advantage of Voice over IP (VoIP) technology Uses wireless infrastructure to carry voice and data Wireless VoIP phones Telephone handsets that connect to a WLAN s access point Wireless VoIP SOHO routers Can be connected to a DSL or cable modem Provide both a WLAN and telephone services through the user s Internet connection Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 9 Challenges of Using Wireless Technology Challenges include: Competing technologies Data security Privacy User reluctance Shortage of qualified staff Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 10 5

6 Competing Technologies Some wireless technologies are clearly based on approved industry standards Other wireless technologies do not have standards Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 11 Competing Technologies (continued) Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 12 6

7 Competing Technologies (continued) Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 13 Competing Technologies (continued) Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 14 7

8 Data Security and Privacy Wireless technology s greatest strength Roaming capability Can also be its greatest weakness Broadcasting network traffic over the airwaves Has created a concern for keeping that data secure Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 15 User Reluctance Change can be painful for users Because it takes time and energy to learn a new system Human factor in implementing wireless technology is sometimes a significant obstacle Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 16 8

9 Shortage of Qualified Staff Need for information technology (IT) professionals has increased To develop and implement wireless applications and provide support As technology improves and becomes easier to use The life of a network administrator or a reseller can get more complicated WLAN networks must be constantly monitored And IT staff must be trained in new technologies Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 17 Shortage of Qualified Staff (continued) Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 18 9

10 Building a Wireless Infrastructure Similar to adding a new network to the organization Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 19 Needs Assessment Question to be asked Do we really need it? Evaluating the need for wireless technology Time-consuming process Involves Looking at the organization and the current network Gathering basic information Determining costs Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 20 10

11 Look at the Organization First step in assessing the need for wireless networks Basic questions What is the current size of the organization? How much growth is anticipated? How do employees in different positions and departments perform their daily activities? How frequently does the company move staff to other offices and need to reconfigure the wiring setup? Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 21 Assess the Current Network Questions How does the current network support the organization s mission? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current network? How many users does it support? What essential applications run on the network? Different industries have different network needs Helps identify why a new technology is needed Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 22 11

12 Assess the Current Network (continued) Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 23 Assess the Current Network (continued) Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 24 12

13 Assess the Current Network (continued) Gather information Expertise needed to gather the information may be beyond that of current IT staff Request for information (RFI) Document that seeks information about what vendors may have to offer Wireless site survey Measures the strength and quality of the signal and the resulting transmission speeds and throughput Achievable in all different locations around the office Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 25 Assess the Current Network (continued) Wireless site survey (continued) Should ideally be performed using the same type and model of equipment that will eventually be installed Factors identified by a site survey include: Security features and policies required Radio signal range (distance requirements) Number of channels required (based on user/application load) Throughput required Location of AP radios and antennas Location of client devices Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 26 13

14 Assess the Current Network (continued) Wireless site survey (continued) Factors identified by a site survey include (continued): Type of client adapters (WNICs) and whether external antennas may be required Power requirements (Power over Ethernet or line?) Growth requirements and impact on current design Potential interference sources and their location Standards and frequencies to be implemented (802.11a or g) Requirements for integration with the company s wired network Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 27 Assess the Current Network (continued) Return on investment (ROI) Determines the cost in relationship to the benefits ROI is the profit divided by the investment ROI is best expressed over a specific period of time Types of costs Upfront costs: necessary to start a project Recurring costs: costs that a user may continue to pay over an extended period of time Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 28 14

15 Assess the Current Network (continued) Develop a plan Developing a sensible, workable plan is perhaps the most critical piece of the entire process Request for proposal (RFP) Detailed planning document sent to potential vendors Contains precise specifications for the products and services that the organization intends to buy Whom to involve Organization s IT team Users themselves External consultants Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 29 Assess the Current Network (continued) Request for proposal Some of the key elements in an RFP include: Statement of value Description of operations Current network and applications Timetable Vendors will respond with their proposal Wireless application service provider (WASP) Can design and create a wireless application to run on a specific range of devices May know how to get the project up and running quickly Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 30 15

16 Assess the Current Network (continued) Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 31 Perform a Limited Trial Pilot project Borrow sample hardware and software from the vendor who won the bid IT staff should be thoroughly involved in the trial Along with a select group of users New wireless technology should be thoroughly tested Including its security aspects IT department should also learn how to troubleshoot the new technology Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 32 16

17 Begin Training Training helps users and support specialists Knowledge to effectively operate and support the new wireless technology Can save time and costs during the transition Types of training Small group sessions Detailed written instructions Web-based training One-on-one sessions Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 33 Rollout to All Users Most efficient way to do a widespread rollout is in phases Start with just one department or unit of the business IT staff will be able to deal with problems more easily If project is not finished, users should be alerted Confer and identify problems that may have arisen Before additional units are brought on Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 34 17

18 Provide Support User support functions can be organized as follows: Establish informal peer-to-peer support groups Create formal user support groups Maintain a help desk center Assign support to the IT department Help desk Central point of contact for users who need assistance using technology Manages customer problems and requests Provides support services to solve the problem Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 35 Provide Support (continued) Suggestions regarding a help desk Have one telephone number for the help desk Plan for temporarily increased call volume after the new network is installed Create a method to track problems effectively Use surveys to determine user satisfaction and to identify any remaining issues Periodically rotate network personnel into help desk Use information from the help desk to organize followup training Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 36 18

19 Summary Wireless technology can positively impact an organization in many ways VoWLAN uses IP phones and VoIP on the same network the company uses for data Wireless technology faces various challenges Once a business has decided to invest in wireless technology Must build a new wireless infrastructure Security needs may increase the cost of the project significantly Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 37 Summary (continued) Some organizations may send out a request for information (RFI) Next step is to create an implementation plan After RFPs have been received and vendor selected The company performs a limited trial or pilot project Training provides all users and support specialists the knowledge to operate and support the new wireless technology effectively Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 38 19

20 Summary (continued) As the training nears completion Business rolls out the technology to all users in phases Support is continued follow-up and consists of answering questions and assisting users Help desk is one of the most effective support systems Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 39 20